A fire engulfed a two-story apartment complex in an Otay Mesa West neighborhood, displacing 13 people and four animals with no reported injuries, reported authorities.
Fire crews responded to the blaze at approximately 4:30 a.m as heavy smoke and flames bled from the second-floor windows of the apartment complex at 1580 Monterey Pine Drive, according to San Diego Police Battalion Chief Chris Gabler. A total of 13 people were displaced, and no reported injuries resulting from the fire.
The American Red Cross will be assisting displaced residents.
“People were out front and crews began an aggressive search. When they did the investigation, they found heavy fire on the second floor and fire on the first floor,” Gabler said.
Video footage from OnScene T.V. showed officers and firefighters evacuating residents adjacent to the building on fire.
According to Gabler, two units were destroyed by the fire, with damage to a third unit. Officials said the cause was still under investigation.
“There was some construction that was being done in the upstairs unit, so we are looking at that construction area,” Gabler said.
The San Diego Fire Department received mutual aid from Chula Vista and Imperial Beach Fire Departments.
Damage estimates were not available.
